FG importing N1bn dustbins is unpatriotic – MAN 
By Rasheed Bisiriyu   
Saturday, 16 Oct 2010 

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has denounced the decision of the Federal Government to import 600, 000 units of plastic waste disposal worth N1bn for the Federal Capital Territory.

The group, which described the action as wasteful spending, said it was an unpatriotic action since local manufacturers of plastic could handle the project if given the assignment.

MAN spoke on Thursday in Lagos through its Chairman, Domestic and Industrial Group, Dr David Obi, saying it had decided to write a protest letter to the Federal Government on the issue.
Obi who is also a former Director-General, National Automotive Council, told our correspondent that the country’s image and aspiration to become one of the industrialized nations by 2020 was being undermined.

He said, “Any right thinking Nigerian will find this annoying, disappointing for a country that is aspiring to be among 20 most developed nations in 2020 to spend N1bn for the importation of British dustbins. It is unpatriotic.”

According to him, the local manufacturers have the capability for the project, adding that the production of plastic dustbins is something that can easily be handled locally.

He explained that three things required for the production, including machine, mould and plastic resin raw materials could be locally sourced. “The machine is available. We can produce the mould. And for the raw materials, they are locally available. We can also supplement with import if necessary,” he said.

Obi who the Chairman, DVC Plastics, said, “It is absurd that the government would allow an opportunity to provide jobs for our people slip by. Why should we help to promote the business of the foreign countries when we can produce the same materials locally?”

Obi insisted that many of his members could produce the huge plastic bins. He argued that with oil and gas easily available, and plastics technology in place, meeting the waste disposal requirement of the FCT “is not a big deal, unless somebody is trying to mislead the government and deceive Nigerians.”

He said, “The technology for making plastics is available in Nigeria. If government really wanted us to make the product, all that is required is to get the specification, then send it to the mould makers, and with the appropriate raw materials and production line, you can make the waste disposal unit they want.

“Plastics is one industry where we are on equal footing with every part of the world, because the basic raw materials from crude and gas are easily available in Nigeria, and this even gives us a comparative advantage. There is absolutely no excuse for importation. As far as I know, I have seen samples of the product made by Innoson Technical And Industrial Company Limited in Emene, Enugu. And I know that other plastics makers before Innoson also produce it. So, what is the big deal about ability to make dust bins locally?”

Another plastic manufacturer, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, decried the import idea, arguing that it would impact negatively on the nation’s industrialisation drive and job creation.

Chukwuma, who is the Chairman, Innoson Group of Companies has one of the largest plastics plant in Nigeria.

He, however, said that the government might not be aware that the technology for making the product was available locally, and added, “but now, they know; they can no longer say they do not know. So, the best thing for government to do now is to reverse what they have done in the interest of the Nigerian plastics industry.”

He also spoke on the quality of the refuse disposal units made in Nigeria. “The same machines that the Germans use in producing their plastics are the ones we use here at Innoson Technical. There is no difference in technology. They can come and inspect our factory in Enugu, and they will see that it is the same. We have been producing the same plastic waste disposal units and even exporting them to some neighbouring countries like Ghana. But we source our raw materials locally.

“However, If they say the quality of the plastics made in Nigeria is inferior, then, they are saying that the products of Nigeria’s petro-chemical industry are inferior.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010101603195

There is a minister of commerce and industry who is more interested in his meal ticket and was expected to raise dust over this nonsense. Men whose moral compasses have no N truly rule this nation.

FG? Federal Government?? Those retarded lots who know nothing but to enrich their bottomless pockets.

wait till you hear some dolt's argument on how brilliant our policy makers are!

www.nairaland.com/attachments/325837_Photo0114_Large_jpg87316a8a915b4e3fb302930171624537

www.nairaland.com/attachments/325838_Photo0113_Large_jpgad9e739fcbd40ff275d155ad92b1673e

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dunno what took MAN so long to get round to this,

meanwhile the dustbins are already being manufacturered and used in naija

thats vgc in those pics